Bed-linen-changing mechanism



Sept. 26, 1967 w. c. SANNES BEDLINENCHANGING MECHANISM Filed Aug. :50, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 MW" 1 "WM,

Sept. 26, 1967 w. c. SANNES BED-LINEN-CHANGING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 30, 1965 lNl/EA/TOR I I/V/LL/S C. SA/V/VES p 26, 1967 w. c. SANNES 3,343,183

BED-LINEN-CHANGiNG MECHANI SM Filed Aug. 30, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 l/l/A TO POWER IIVI/E/VTOR. WILL/S C SAN/V55 United States Patent Ofilice 3,343,183 Patented Sept. 26, 1967 3,343,183 BED-LINEN-CHANGIN G MECHANISM Willis C. Sannes, 2312 S. 20th Ave., Broadview, Ill. 60153 Filed Aug. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 483,407 12 Claims. (Cl. 317) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Structure comprising a pair of reeling elements for opposed journaling on members attached to a conventional bed-frame and which elements are spanned by a webbing of multiple units of superimposed sections of conventional bed-linen material and extending up and over the bed mattress and which reeling elements are operated to reel and unreel the material so as to draw a fresh bed-linen unit from one element into use position over a mattress as a used bed-linen unit is withdrawn from its position on the mattress and reeled on to the other element, the mechanism being either manually or motoractuated and controlled.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanisms for the recurring changing of bed-linen.

The main objects of this invention are; to provide an improved mechanically-activated facility the use of which will greatly reduce the time normally consumed for the now conventional procedures for changing bed linens; to provide an improved bed-linen changing mechanism of this kind for securing rolls of laundered, multiple bedlinen units in successive and effective use position on the bed mattress as the used linen units are withdrawn therefrom; to provide an improved mechanism of this kind having means for initiating the action of the mechanism to position a fresh linen-unit in place and automatically arrest the action of the mechanism when such fresh unit is in place; to provide a mechanism of this kind structured for facile attachment to standard type beds; and to provide an improved bed-linen changing-mechanism of this kind of such simple construction as to make highly economical the manufacture and marketing thereof, exceedingly facile the use thereof, and very gratifying the results, especially for hotels and motels.

In the adaptations shown in the accompanying drawmgs;

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a conventional modern bed equipped with a linen-change mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a bed equipped with a linen-changing mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the same from the foot of the bed;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view, such as shown in FIG. 1, with parts broken away to more clearly show the general structure and location of the motor-driven means for effecting the functioning of this linen-changing mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of the electrically-operated control-means for this mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an end view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a slightly modified form of control-means for a linenchanging mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail of the linen indicia that arrests the linen-changing mechanism, once the fresh linen unit is in place on the mattress;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the electrically-operated control-means for the linen-changing mechanism shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

A bed-linen-changing mechanism for use with a conventional bed B and embodying the foregoing concept comprises a pair of bed-linen material-reeling elements 12 and 13 journaled on a pair of supporting members 14 and 15 from one to the other of which elements a predetermined web of bed-linen material 16 is successively advanced over a mattress M by the action of a motor 17 the recurring operation of which is controlled by switch mechanisms 18 and 19, the one being activated manually and the other automatically by spaced indicia 20 affixed to the bed-linen material 16.

The bed B hereinshown is a conventional modern type of very simple structure comprising a head piece 21 and foot piece 22 spanned by a pair of longitudinal angle-bar rails 23 whereon rests a conventional box spring S supporting a mattress M. As shown in FIG. 4 the mattress M is enveloped in a low friction-resistant and protective material 24.

The elements 12 and 13, as hereinshown, are in the form of small, wooden cylinders fixed on rods each mounting a pair of end plates 26 inwardly adjacent the respective ends thereof. These rods for the elements 12 and 13 are of a length to permit the end portions, outwardly of the plates 26, to serve as trunnions for insertion into the bayonetform slots 27 in the respective pairs of supporting members 14 and 15.

These supporting members 14 and '15 are hereinshown as L-shape. They may be suspended from the bed anglebars 23 or by special bars (not shown) suitably secured between the legs of the bed head piece 21 and end piece 22. The supporting member 15 has an inwardly-extended base 28 terminating in an integrated vertically-disposed end-portion 29. This extended base 28 slidably supports an L-shaped platform 30 whereon is mounted the motor 17 by a pair of pin-and-slot formations 31, only one of which is shown in FIG. 5. A pair of springs 32 are interposed between the end-portion 29 of the base 28 of the supporting member 15 and the motor platform 30. These springs serve to maintain the pressure of a friction-drum 33, driven by the motor 17, against the reeled web of bed-linen material 16 so as to effect the intermittent reeling of used units of the material 16 onto the element 13 and unreel fresh units of the material 16 from the element 1'2 for use-positioning over the mattress M.

The bed-linen web of material 16 comprises an under section 34 and an upper section 35. These are of a width substantially the same as the length of the mattress M. Longitudinally this web of material 16 comprises units of substantially the same width of the mattress M. The units of the upper section are attached along one longitudinal edge (which travels along the foot of the mattress M). The opposite edges of the units of the upper section 35 (which travels along the head end of the mattress M) are releasably secured to the under section 34 of the web of material 16 preferably by snap fasteners 36. This upper section 35 may be continuous or separate pieces. In the event of a continuous upper section 35, it would be slitted part way in from the head end. Either arrangement permits portions of the upper section 34 to be folded back and down over the adjacent portion of the upper section 35 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2. and 5. Each pair of such snap fasteners 36 is spaced apart longitudinally of the web of material 16 slightly less than the transverse dimension of the mattress M.

Preferably, a conventional-formed pillowcase 37 accompanies each pair of sections 34 and 35 of the material 16. These pillow cases '37 are removably attached to the under section 34 by two or more fasteners shown dotted in FIGS. 1 and 5.

The motor 17 may be of any conventional type, preferably connected to drive a suitable reduction gearing (not shown) on the shaft of which reduction gearing the friction drum 33 is keyed.

The switch mechanisms 18 and 19, which respectively control the starting and stopping of the motor 17, are shown in the schematic FIGS. 6 and 10. The switch 18 is controlled by a key K quite as with the starter on a motor vehicle. The other switch '19 is automatically controlled by a condition created in one or the other types of circuitry 38 or 39' (FIGS. 6 and as effected by one or the other forms of indicia affixed to the web of material 16.

One form of indicia 20 is an eyelet 41 such as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6. The other form of indicia 20 is a swatch of material 42 such as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10. This may be of a dark color or merely extra thick material. In lieu of dark colored swatch, an area of 34 may be dyed a darker color. Whatever the form, a series of indicia 20 is affixed in predetermined spaced intervals along one edge of the under section 34 of the web of material 16, preferably the edge that traverses the foot of the mattress M. Such indicia 20 serve to effect the recurring release of a solenoid 43, in the respective circuitry 38 or 39, which has been previously.

activated by the closing of the switch mechanismlS by the key K.

In the circuitry 38, of FIG. 6, the incoming power line connects with the two branches 44 and 45. The one branch 44 leads to the motor 17 and therein is interposed the normally-open, single-pole type switch 18. The other branch 45 leads to the solenoid 43 and therein is interposed the normally-open switch 19.

In the circuitry 39 of FIG. 10 the incoming power line connects with three branches 46, 47, and 48. The one branch 46 leads directly to the motor 17 and therein is interposed one pole of the normally-open, double-pole type switch 18. The second branch 47 is an extension of the one branch 46 and includes the normally-open switch 19, an auxiliary open switch 49 and the other pole of the switch 18 and a supplemental solenoid 50 for actuating the switch 49. The third branch 48 leads to a conventional photocell relay 51 and includes the other pole of the normally-open switch 18.

For either form of the indicia 20,the solenoid 43 is fixed on the foot end 22 of, the bed frame (FIGS. 3 and 7). For the eyelet-form of indicia 20 the armature 52 of the solenoid 43 is disposed for vertical'shifting into contact with the taut under face of the bed-linen under section 34 of the web of material 16. Thus, each time the eyelet 41 comes into registration with the opposed end of the armature 52, it is released and the circuitry 44 is opened and movement of the web of material 16 is arrested. For the swatch form of indicia 20 the axially-opposed light source 53 and photocell 54 have to be positioned to permit the swatches 42 to intercept the light beam between the source and the cell. This requires the use of a series of rollers 55, somewhat as shown in FIG. 7. Each time the light beam is intercepted. the solenoid 43 is de-energized and the switches 19 and 49 are opened to arrest the operation of the motor 17.

The operation of this improved bed-linen changing mechanism is as follows:

A carefully-laundered web of material 16 has one end suitably attached to the reeling element 12 and wound thereon. This is set then in the opposed pair of supporting members 14. The other end of the web of material 16 is drawn up and .over the mattress M and attached to the other reeling element 13. This reeling member 13 is set then in the other pair of opposed supporting members 15. This will position the first fresh unit of the under and 4, lower sections 34 and 35 of the web of material 16 in use position on-the mattress M.

The head end of the upper section 35 is released from the fasteners 36 and folded back over in the conventional manner, as shown in the several figures. The pillow case 37 then is removed from its position on the lower section 34 of the web of material 16, pulled over a pillow and that is placed on the bed in the customary manner. Thereupon the bed is ready for a patron.

After the one days use of this first unit of the web of material 16, an attendant inserts a key K' into a slot in the switch mechanism 18 (FIGS. 1 and 3). The key is held in circuit-closing position a sufficient length of time for the web of material 16 to move a distance to neutralize the function of the indicia 20.

For the circuitry 38 this means holding the key K just long enough to close the switch 18 to activate the solenoid 43 and close the switch 19 to thereby activate the motor 17. As soon as the web of material 16 has moved enough to shift the indicia eyelet 41 out of registration with the solenoid armature 52, the key may be withdrawn. The motor 17 will continue to operate to reel the used unit of the web of material 16 onto the reeling element 13 and draw a fresh unit up and over the mattress M in use For the circuitry 39 such turning of the key will close.

the branch circuit 46 and cause a movement of the web of material 16 to shift the swatch 42 out from across the light beam of the photocell relay 51. As soon as the swatch 42 passes out of its interposition across the light beam of the photocell relay 51 the key K has to be released to arrest the continued movement of the web material 16. Thereupon the key K will be given an opposite turning. This will close the circuit to the branch 48 to,

the light source 53. This will energize the photocell 54 and cause the activation of the armature of thesolenoid 43 to close the switch 19. Such closing of the switch 19 will instantly energize the solenoid 50 and cause the armature thereof to close the switch 49 thereby completing the'circuitry branch 47. This will restore the circuit to cause the motor 17 to advance the web of material 16 until another indicia swatch 42 intercepts the light ray of the photocell relay 51. When that occurs the circuit to the solenoid 43 will be opened and the armature 52 will be retracted to cause the opening of the switch 19 and a consequent opening of the switch 49 to arrest further operation of the motor 17 With the arrest of the motor 17 by either of the indicia 20, the reeling of the web of material 16 will stop. A fresh unit of that web of material 16 will be in use position on the mattress M for adjusting the parts thereof as above explained and make the bed ready for another patron.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention of which web of material are attached to the respective elements with the Web overlaying the mattress, a means for activating the elements to advance the web of material to successively locate each fresh bed-linen unit in use position on the mattress concurrently with the withdrawal of a used bed-linen unit from the mattress, and indicia spaced uniformly along the web of material for successively arresting the operation of the element activating means as a fresh unit of bed linen is moved into proper use position on the mattress.

2. A bed-linen-changing mechanism for use with a conventional bed frame having a mattress thereon, the mechanism comprising, a pair of elements for joumaling on the bed frame below the mattress, a predetermined length of web of conventional bed-linen material equal to a plurality of normal size bed-linen units the opposite ends of which web of material are attached to the respective elements with the web overlaying the mattress, an electric motor connected to drive one of the elements to successively advance the web of material to locate each fresh bed-linen unit thereof in use position on the mattress and with-draw the previously-used bed-linen unit from the mattress, circuitry for connecting the motor to a source of electrical current, a normally-open, manuallyactuatable switch means included in the circuitry for initiating the operation of the motor, other switch means included in the circuitry normally-biased for automatically opening the circuit, and indicia spaced along the web of material for activating the other switch means to arrest the operation of the motor when each fresh bed-linen unit has been moved into use position on the mattress.

3. A bed-linen-changing mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein the manually-operable switch includes a key actuatable cylinder.

4. A bed-linen-changing mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein the other switch means includes a solenoid with a normally-retracted armature which is activated into extended position by the closing of the keyactuated switch to thereby activate the motor to effect the movement of the web of material with the end of the armature pressured against one face of the web of material to hold the other switch means in closed position, and the indicia are in the form of eyelets dimensioned to embrace the end of the armature when each eyelet is moved into registration with the armature and thereby release the other switch means to arrest the operation of the motor.

5. A bed-linen-changing mechanism as set forth in claim 3 wherein the key-operated switch means is a two-pole type and the other switch means includes a pair of series-connected solenoids the armatures of which are normally retracted and respectively juxtaposed to a pair of normally-open switches, a photocell-relay positioned to embrace one perimeter of the web of material for energizing the pair of solenoids, the key-operable switch means being shiftable to close the circuitry through one of the two poles to activate the motor and initiate the movement of the web of material, the key operable switch means being shiftable to close the circuit through the other of the two poles to energize the photocell-relay and activate the solenoids to shift the armatures to close the pair of normally-open switches and thereby continue the movement of the web of material, and the indicia are swatches spaced along the one perimeter of the web of material to successively intercept the action of the photocell-relay and neutralize the solenoids so as to arrest the movement of the web of material when a fresh bed-linen unit is in use position on the mattress.

6. A bed-linen-changing mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein the motor is connected to reduction gearing mounting a friction drum, a platform supporting the motor for shiftable positioning on the bed-frame, and spring means biasing the platform to maintain driving contact of the drum against the reeling web of material.

7. A bed-linen-changing machanism for use with a conventional bed frame having a mattress thereon, the mechanism comprising, a pair of reeling elements, a predetermined length of a web of two superimposed sections of bed-linen material equal to a plurality of normal size bed-linen units the opposite ends of which web of material are attached to the respective reeling elements with the web overlaying the mattress, the upper section of material being attached to the lower section along one perirneter by stitching and along the other perimeter by releasable fasteners to permit a portion of the upper section to be folded back over the lower section when each unit is in use position on the mattress, a pair of reel-journaling members adapted for opposed attachment to the bed frame below the mattress, an electric motor mounting a drum, a platform supporting the motor shiftably mounted on one of the members, a spring interposed between the platform and the mounting member maintaining a constant pressure of the drum against the reeling web of material on the one element, circuitry connecting the motor with a source of electricity, a normally-open key-controlled switch means interposed in the circuitry for activation of the circuit to effect the operation of the motor for advancing the web of material to successively locate a fresh bed-linen unit in use position on the mattress as a used bed-linen unit is withdrawn from use position on the mattress, a solenoid-armature-controlled other switchmeans interposed in the circuitry for activation by the closing of the key-controlled switch means for maintaining a predetermined operation of the motor to effect a recurring advance of the web of material, and indicia spaced at predetermined intervals along the web of material for activating the solenoid-armature other switch means when each fresh bed-linen unit is in use position on the mattress.

8. A bed-linen-changing mechanism comprising, a bed I frame, a-mattress positioned on the frame, a pair of elements journaled on the frame below the mattress, a predetermined length of a web of conventional bed-linen material equal to a plurality of normal-size bed-linen units the opposite ends of which web of material are attached to the respective elements, means for activating the elements to advance the web of material to successively locate each fresh bed-linen unit in use position on the mattress concurrently with the withdrawal of a used bed-linen units from the mattress, and indicia spaced uniformly along the web of material successively to arrest the operation of the element activating means as each fresh bed linen unit is moved into use position on the mattress.

9. A bed-linen-changing mechanism comprising, a bed frame, a mattress positioned on the frame, a pair of elements journaled on the frame below the mattress, a predetermined length of a web of material equal to a plurality of normal size bed-linen units, the opposite ends of which web of material are attached to the respective elements and overlaying the mattress, an electric motor connected to drive one of the elements to successively advance the web of material to locate each fresh bedlinen unit thereof in use position on the mattress and withdraw the previously-used bed-linen unit from the mattress, circuitry for connecting the motor to a source of electrical current, a normally-open, manually-actuatable switch means included in the circuitry for initiating the operation of the motor, other switch means included in the circuitry normally-biased for automatically opening the circuit, and indicia spaced along the web of material for activating the other switch means to arrest the operation of the motor when each fresh bed-linen unit has been moved into use position on the mattress.

10. A bed-linen-changing mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein the manually-operated switch means includes a key-actuatable cylinder wherein the other switch means includes a solenoid with a normally-retracted armature which is activated into extended position by the closing of the key-actuated switch to thereby activate the motor to effect the movement of the web of material with the end of the armature pressured against one face of the web of material to hold the other switch means in closed position, and the indicia are in the form of eyelets dimensioned to embrace the end of the armature when each eyelet is moved into registration with the armature and thereby release the other switch means to arrest the operation of the motor.

11. A bed-linen-changing mechanism as set forth in claim wherein the key-operated switch means is a twopole type and the other switch means includes a pair of series-connected solenoids the armatures of which are normally retracted and respectively juxtaposed to a pair of normally-open switches, a photocell-relay positioned to embrace one perimeter ofthe Web of material for energizing the pair of solenoids, the key-operable switch means being shiftable to close the'circuitry through one of the two poles to activate the motor and initiate the movement of the web of material, the key-operable switch means being shiftable to close the circuit through the other of the two poles to energize the photocell relay and activate the solenoids to shift the armatures to close the pair of normally-open switches and thereby continue the movement of the web of material, and the indicia are dark colored areas spaced along the one perimeter of the web of material to successively intercept the action of the photocell relay and neutralize the solenoids so as to arrest the movement of the web of material when a fresh bedlinen unit is in use position on the mattress.

12. A bed-linen-changing mechanism comprising, a bed frame, a mattress positioned on the frame, a pair of reeling elements, a pair of reel-journaling members opposedly mounted on the bed frame, a predetermined length of a web of two superimposed sections of bed-linen material equal to a plurality of normal size bed-linen units the opposite ends of which web of material are attached to the respective reeling elements, the upper section of the material being attached to the lower section along one perimeter by stitching and along the other perimeter by releasable fasteners to permit a portion of the upper section to be folded back over the lower section when each unit is in use position on the mattress, an electric motor o mounting a drum, a platform supporting the motor shiftably mounted on one of the members, a spring interposed between the platform and the mounting member maintaining a constant pressure of the drum against the reeling web of material on one element, circuitry connect-t ing the motor with a source of electricity, a normallyopen key-controlled switch means interposed in the circuitry for activation of the circuit to effect the operation of the motor for advancing the web of material to successively locate a fresh bed-linen-unit in use position on the mattress as a used bed-linen unit is withdrawn from use position on the mattress, a solenoid armature-controlled other switch means interposed in the circuitry for activation by the closing of the key-controlled switch means for maintaining a predetermined operation of the motor to effect a recurring advance of the web of material, and indicia spaced at predetermined intervals along the web of material for activating the solenoid-armature other switch means when each fresh bed-linen units is in use position on the mattress.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 636,745 11/1899 Beil 297283 942,606 12/ 1909 Wilson 5-317 1,873,057 8/1932 Smith 226-33 1,877,610 9/1932 Steiner 5334 1,952,775 3/1934 Quinlan 108-90 1,988,486 1/1935 Ferenci 226-33 3,069,570 12/1962 Abadie.

DAVIDJ. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

A. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BED-LINEN-CHANGING MECHANISM FOR USE WITH A CONVENTIONAL BED FRAME HAVING A MATTRESS THEREON, THE MECHANISM COMPRISING, A PAIR OF ELEMENTS FOR JOURNALING ON THE BED FRAME BELOW THE MATTRESS, A PREDETERMINED LENGTH OF A WEB OF CONVENTIONAL BED-LINEN MATERIAL EQUAL TO A PLURALITY OF NORMAL SIZE BED-LINEN UNITS THE OPPOSITE ENDS, OF WHICH WEB OF MATERIAL ARE ATTACHED TO THE RESPECTIVE ELEMENTS WITH THE WEB OVERLAYING THE MATTRESS, A MEANS FOR ACTIVATING THE ELEMENTS TO ADVANCE THE WEB OF MATERIAL TO SUCCESSIVELY LOCATE EACH FRESH BED-LINEN UNIT IN USE POSITION ON THE MATTRESS CONCURRENTLY WITH THE WITHDRAWAL OF A USED BED-LINEN UNIT FROM THE MATTRESS, AND INDICIA SPACED UNIFORMLY ALONG THE WEB OF MATERIAL FOR SUCCESSIVELY ARRESTING THE OPERATION OF THE ELEMENT ACTIVATING MEANS AS A FRESH UNIT OF BED LINEN IS MOVED INTO PROPER USE POSITION ON THE MATTRESS. 